Manny Jacinto on “The Good Place”

Showcasing another Filipino actor in a primetime TV series — here’s Showbiz Tonight.

Being a regular cast member in NBC’s “The Good Place,” along with Hollywood co-stars like Ted Danson and Kristen Bell, was a dream come true for Manny Jacinto.

Jacinto plays a Filipino DJ named Jason Mendoza, who lives a double after-life as a monk in the NBC primetime comedy series about heaven.

The actor told Balitang America‘s Yong Chavez about the audition that led to his casting.

“It was a whirlwind, because I came in, just like every other audition, did my work, made my choices, and luckily they really liked what I did, called me back about a week later, and…waited about another week, and we got it,” Jacinto said. “It was a grueling process in a sense, but they appreciated my work, and I’m really grateful that they do.”

Born in Manila, Jacinto found his second home in Canada, where his family immigrated in 1990.

He studied civil engineering, before going into acting full-time after landing a role in an episode of the hit ABC series “Once Upon A Time.”

Jacinto has since appeared in other TV shows, including “Supernatural,” The 100,” and “Rush,” and was also part of the Canadian spy-thriller series, “The Romeo Section.”

He remains grateful for his heritage and roots.

“The Filipino community has been incredible in supporting the show, which I’m really thankful for,” he said. “I just can’t say enough about how being Filipino has really helped me along this path.”

As for the challenges of being an actor in Hollywood, Jacinto says there are “so many.”

“The joke is that every waiter you meet is probably an actor,” he said. “I feel that you really need to want it, and it’s something you need to focus on. It’s not something you can do on the side. In my opinion, in order to really pursue this path, you really need to give it 100 percent.”

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